Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The diagram depicts how electricity is produced in a hydroelectric power station. It is a walkthrough illustration of harnessing power from flowing water.

Overall, it is visible that water is stored in two reservoirs each of them at different altitudes. This makes water flow. The movement of water alternates during day-night cycles.

Towards the left is the Dam which stores water, a steep path is constructed for water to flow downwards during the day. Upon reaching the Power Station, the water rotates turbines which produce electricity and transmit the power to National grid through Power lines. The used water then passes on into the Low-level reservoir.

Water flows differently in day and night cycles. The night cycle involves water moving upwards from Low-level reservoir and into the power station. Following this , it is pumped back to the High-Level reservoir. This allows sustainable use of water as the storage gets refilled every night.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main features of the hydroelectric power station, including the two-reservoir system and the day/night cycle. You have clearly described the process of water movement and electricity generation. However, the description of the 'night cycle' is slightly inaccurate based on the diagram; the diagram shows water being pumped back up, but your phrasing 'moving upwards... into the power station' is a bit confusing as the power station is at the bottom. To reach a higher band, ensure that the mechanical process is described with absolute precision regarding the direction of flow and the specific components involved.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on the distinct cycles. The use of cohesive devices is generally effective, such as 'Towards the left' and 'Following this'. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be improved by ensuring each paragraph has a clear thematic focus. The reference to 'two reservoirs' in the overview is a good summary, but the connection between the sentences could be smoother to improve the overall flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'harnessing', 'alternates', 'sustainable', and 'refilled'. These terms are appropriate for the context. There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choice is generally accurate. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise technical collocations related to engineering or energy production, such as 'potential energy', 'kinetic energy', or 'reverse-pumped', which would demonstrate a more sophisticated control of the topic-specific lexicon.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically sound. There are a few minor issues, such as the punctuation error in 'Following this ,' and the slightly awkward phrasing 'each of them at different altitudes'. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the response from reaching the higher bands. To improve, focus on varying your sentence structure further and ensuring that punctuation is used consistently and correctly throughout the text.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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